Officer-involved shooting follows welfare check in Thermopolis

The Town of Thermopolis and Hot Springs Sheriff’s Office issued a joint statement Tuesday on an officer-involved shooting that occurred Monday in Thermopolis.

On Sept. 9, the Division of Criminal Investigation was contacted by the Thermopolis Police Department and the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office. DCI was asked to investigate an officer-involved shooting. Local agents and members of the DCI Officer Involved Shooting team responded to the scene, along with personnel from the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory to conduct the investigation.

At this time, information will be limited as the investigation is still ongoing.

One officer from the police department and one deputy from the sheriff’s office were involved in a lethal force incident. The TPD was called to the 300 block of Clark Street in Thermopolis for a welfare check at approximately 5:25 p.m. Upon arrival the TPD officer was confronted by Jared Gottula who was wielding a metal baseball bat. Gottula began to strike the officer’s patrol car. Shortly thereafter a deputy with the HSCSO arrived as backup for the TPD officer. A struggle ensued and lethal force was deployed. Gottula was pronounced deceased on the scene. Both the officer and deputy were uninjured.

Both the TPD officer and HSCSO deputy have been placed on paid administrative leave as is standard during an investigation. As the investigation is ongoing neither the Town of Thermopolis nor the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office will comment further on this matter. All inquiries can be directed to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.